Top 25 Cities for Designers and Artists

#1. Austin, TX

Population:1,533,263

Average Salary:$54,827

Cost of Living Rank (100 is average):94

Percentage of workforce in creative class 36.8

Unemployment Rate: 6.9

Austin tops our list with robust projected job growth and one of the lowest changes in unemployment rate since the onset of the recession. The city has enjoyed a recent explosion of high-tech entrepreneurism. Animators in Austin are some of the highest paid in the nation. A “best cities” list veteran, Austin’s our top pick again this year!